Safety and who shouldn't fast
StepFast is for adults 18+. It is a wellness app, not a medical device, and it doesn't give medical advice. Fasting is optional, and a safety check can keep it off.
Who should not fast, or should ask a doctor first
- Under 18. StepFast is for adults only.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- A history of disordered eating. Strict fasting windows can trigger or worsen restrictive or obsessive eating.
- Diabetes, especially if you take insulin or other glucose-lowering medication. Fasting can cause unsafe low blood sugar.
- Any other medical condition or regular medication. Check with your doctor first.
These points follow guidance from Johns Hopkins Medicine and Mayo Clinic. Longer fasts of 24 hours or more are not necessarily better, and Johns Hopkins says they may be dangerous.
What StepFast does about it
- Fasting is off until you choose it.
- A safety check runs first and can keep fasting switched off.
- The app never plans more than 18 hours of total fasting in a day.
- Walking is the first suggestion when you're short on steps.
Stop and get help if
- You feel faint, confused, or very unwell, or develop unusual symptoms. Stop fasting, eat, and contact a clinician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number (911 in the US).
- Food, weight, or fasting is starting to feel stressful or out of control. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders offers support and resources.
Not sure whether fasting is right for you? Use StepFast for walking and weight tracking only. Fasting can stay off.